UK Politics

[pete75]

When I heard that Mandelson was to be appointed as US Ambasador I was appalled! I have always said regarded him as an untrustworthy snake. I agree he is very intelligent but uses it to achieve his own Machievelian ends. Farage was correct but he was possibly unaware of what had happened with Epstein.

Al

Doubt it, Farage also had contact with Epstein, and is mentioned many times in the Epstein files.

[Jdsk]

Presumably that was the thinking, but anyone with a couple of brain cells would have realised it was fraught with risk and, sure enough, it backfired spectacularly.

Fortunately we have easily accessible records of what quite a lot of people thought of the appointment at the time.

Including this from Nigel Farage in December 2024.
"I might disagree with Mandelson on his politics, but he's a very intelligent man and would be good choice for ambassador".

Regardless of any connection to Epstein when Farage said that Mandelson's record in public office was widely known.

Jonathan

[toontra]

Mind you, in terms of damaging the British economy, Mandelson is a bit player compared to Farage and his Brexit lies. Mandelson's influence is now hopefully at an end. Farage is the nightmare of Christmas future.

[mjr]

Why all the fuss about Mandleson as US ambassador, when he was the perfect choice. The ambassador must establish a good relationship, and even friendship with the president. Who better than a dishonest, greedy, morally bankrupt, sex offender's friend to establish a close relationship with Donald Trump.

Presumably that was the thinking, but anyone with a couple of brain cells would have realised it was fraught with risk and, sure enough, it backfired spectacularly.

Fortunately we have easily accessible records of what quite a lot of people thought of the appointment at the time.

Please can you tell us what thought recorders are in use by the government and their level of accuracy? I suspect we'll only see what they wrote or recorded at the time.

[Cugel]

Presumably that was the thinking, but anyone with a couple of brain cells would have realised it was fraught with risk and, sure enough, it backfired spectacularly.

Fortunately we have easily accessible records of what quite a lot of people thought of the appointment at the time.

Please can you tell us what thought recorders are in use by the government and their level of accuracy? I suspect we'll only see what they wrote or recorded at the time.

Wot's this!? Are you suggesting that politicians may have thoughts that are different from what they say?

Alas, it does seem to be the case. But there's a third factor making the cognitive dissonance even more discordant and a right din - their actions are also mismatched to what they think and what they say they think!

In reality they, like all other modern (and especially post-modern) humans, seem to be disconnected from reality despite trying (and failing, naturally) to create alternative realities dreamt up every other day on the backs of fag packets or on napkins made indecipherable by the splashes of champagne and gravy.

Thinking: the processes occurring in a human brain, driven by memeplexes of varying complexities with not a lot of coherence (often none) between them all that program the human to various peculiar acts, thoughts and utterances often of little or no utility but generally resulting in dangerous and damaging effects.

[roubaixtuesday]

I've referenced similar before, as to the root cause of our political malaise and swing to far right popularism, but there's resolution foundation report on "Unsung Britain" - which they define as the 50% below median income working families.

It shows how disposable incomes have stagnated for two decades, and population has been working more and receiving less in benefits (despite prejudice to the contrary).

Policy changes are also proposed.

https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/pu ... g-britain/

[Jdsk]

I've referenced similar before, as to the root cause of our political malaise and swing to far right popularism, but there's resolution foundation report on "Unsung Britain" - which they define as the 50% below median income working families.

It shows how disposable incomes have stagnated for two decades, and population has been working more and receiving less in benefits (despite prejudice to the contrary).

Policy changes are also proposed.

https://www.resolutionfoundation.org/pu ... g-britain/

It's an excellent piece of work: Highly Recommended.

Jonathan

[al_yrpal]

Highlights the problems but doesnt identify the causes... Thus, no effective solutions.

Al

[roubaixtuesday]

Highlights the problems but doesnt identify the causes... Thus, no effective solutions.

Al

It does identify causes, and proposes corresponding solutions.

Whether you agree with them or not is another matter, of course.

[mjr]

Highlights the problems but doesnt identify the causes... Thus, no effective solutions.

Al

It does identify causes, and proposes corresponding solutions.

Whether you agree with them or not is another matter, of course.

I suspect Al doesn't want property tax reform or the state pension linked to average earnings ( rather than the triple lock), but there might be more recommendations he dislikes.

[al_yrpal]

Highlights the problems but doesnt identify the causes... Thus, no effective solutions.

Al

It does identify causes, and proposes corresponding solutions.

Whether you agree with them or not is another matter, of course.

I suspect Al doesn't want property tax reform or the state pension linked to average earnings ( rather than the triple lock), but there might be more recommendations he dislikes.

If you mean I wouldnt like my Council Tax going up you are spot on, as for the state pension being linked to average earnings I believe it usually is. 'Hate the Aged' (the Resolution Foundation) have a slewed vision of the state of things that bears little resemblance to reality...

Al

[Nearholmer]

The state pension has been “triple locked” for ages, as I’m sure you know, and it has outpaced earnings in the long run.

[al_yrpal]

Yes, I realise that but just lately its been wage inflation that has determined the pension increase. So, we have just been keeping up with all those 'public servants ' etc...

Al

[Jdsk]

Real average earnings for public sector workers are lower than in 2009:
https://ifs.org.uk/publications/recent- ... sector-pay

Jonathan

[roubaixtuesday]

Yes, I realise that but just lately its been wage inflation that has determined the pension increase. So, we have just been keeping up with all those 'public servants ' etc...

Al

Are you suggesting that pensions should increase faster than wages?